Headlight-dimmer.



B. L. ROSENBLOOM.

HEADLIGHT DIMMER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12. 1911.

Patentedv Jan. 21, 1919.

- ATFORNEY- BENJAMIN I. ROSENBLOOM, 0F WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

HEADLIGHT-DIMMER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jain 21, 1919.

Application filed October 12, 1917. Serial No. 196,149.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN L. RosennLooM, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of WVheeling, county of Ohio, and State of \Vest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Headlight-Dim-mers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to headlight dimmers, and more specifically to a device whereby the lights of an automobile headlights and the like may be rendered unobtrusive or'wholly cut off.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an attachment for the headlights of automobiles and like vehicles whereby the rays of light emanating from the lamps thereof may be either Wholly or partially intercepted at the will of the driver of such vehicle.

A further object is to provide an attachment of the character mentioned which normally permits an unobstructed projection of the rays of light for illuminating the roadway and which may be actuated to' any extent desired for restricting the passage of such rays from the headlight with the end in view to reduce or cut off the'objectionable blinding glare.

WVith these and other objects in view. the invention resides in the features of construction, arrangement. of parts and combinations of elements which will hereinafter be exemplified, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the attachment constituting the invention, showing the parts occupying their normal positions;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the shutter blades occupying positions reducing the area of the passage through which light may unobstructedly pass;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged central section of a headlight embodying the invention;

Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, face and edge views of a shutter blade, detached; and

Fig. 6 is a reduced front elevation of a headlight embodying the invention, showing the actuating means.

Referring to said drawings, in which li'k designating characters distinguish like parts throughout the several views 1 indicates an automobile headlight of any of the latter.

common or preferred form. Rigidly mounted within the front portion or rim of the headlight is a flat cicular ring or ringlike member '2, and disposed in front of and at a spaced distance from said ring 2 is a somewhat similar member or ring 3 which is adapted for rotary movement with rcspect to said ring Intel-posed between said rings is a plurality of thin flat blades 4 of arcuately curved form, each having a latorally projected pin or stud 5 at each end thereof, the studs at the opposite ends of said blades being located on opposite sides ()ne of the studs of each blade is ,pivoted in the movable ring 3 and the other of said studs is disposed in one of a plurality of spaced radially directed slots 6 provided in the stationary ring 2. As is obvious, when said movable ring is rotated forward, said blades are simultaneously actuated to move inward a distance proportional to the. extent of the rotation, the studs 5 traveling inward along said slots 6, as shown in Fig. When, so moved inward the blades are disposed in positions crossing the opening in the face of the headlight, each cooperating with the others to gradually reduce the size of the light passage 7 in said face. as said movable ring travels forward, until said passage. is wholly closed.

The actuating means for the blades coinprises a solenoid body 8 of a rcuate form carried on the exterior of the headlight in fixed relation to the stationary ring 2 and an are uately curved movable core. 9 cooperating with said body and disposed to be movable with the movable ring it said solenoid being located in a normally open electric circuit comprising a battery lll comlucting wires 11- and 12, and a switch 13, the latter being preferably located at. a point. within convenient reach of the dri \'er.- A retractile coil spring. as ll, serves to normally maintain said movable ring in its normal retracted position wherein the blades -'l are disposed between said plates 2 and Il, miobstrucling the passage. of light through the face of lhe headlight. As herein depicted, said spring is interposed between the core. 9 and a fixed member, as the usual transverse rod 15 whereby the headlights of automobiles are connected.

The blades 4 may be composed either of opaque or translucent: material, according as it is desired to .wholly cut 03 or to merely reduce the strength of-the light raysfor preventing glare.

What is claimed is- 4 A dimmer attachment comprising, in com loi'nation with a headlight, two 'ring-like members mounted within the rim of the headlight, one of said members being stationary and the other being adapted for rotary movement with respect to said stationary member, and a plurality of blades carrying reversely disposed laterally extending studs on their opposite ends, said blades being disposed between said members, one stud of each blade being pivotally mounted in the rotary member, the pivotal points being located at spaced intervals in said memher, and the stationary member having a lurality of spaced radial open slots therein in which the studs at the opposite ends of said blades are movably received, a retractile coil spring normally holding said movable member in a retracted position in which said blades are mounted in non-obstructing relation to the passage of light through the face of the headlight, and means for rotating the movable member forward against the tension of said spring'to actuate said W blades to move inward to positions wherem' they through said face,

obstruct the passage. of light rays, said means consisting of anarcuately curved solenoid body .carried in fixed position outside the headlight body and a movable core of arcuately curved form carried by said movable member in 00-,

operative relation to said solenoid body.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. BENJAMIN L. ROSENBLOOM. Witnesses:

H. E. ,DUNLAP, W. F. KEEFER. 

